Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 55

Curiosity Quills Co-Founder and Owner: Lisa Gus

Today we have the privilege of having Curiosity Quills co-owner/founder, Lisa Gus. Lisa has been wonderful enough to give me some great answers for behind the scenes at CQ, including the history, struggles and good times. So please, take your time to read through, learn a little, (or a lot) and leave any questions and comments for Lisa below. 
 1.Tell us how you came to create Curiosity Quills Press, and what kind of vision do you have for the company?

Ha... here you are with the question designed to get me to climb on my soapbox and refuse to get off unless a crew of handsome buff firemen arrives to...
Oh wait, wrong interview :)
Seriously though, Curiosity Quills began as a blog in mid 2011 designed to promote mine and my partner, Eugene Teplitsky's, writing and help it stand out from the crowd. Fortunately - or unfortunately, as the case may be (as since then, our own writing has taken a second, third, hell, tenth seat to our production and marketing efforts) - we have proven ourselves successful enough that we started attracting a crowd of folks we regularly hosted and interacted with. And eventually, we sort of organically reached a point where we felt we would be in a better position to help them as a publishing house. Michael Shean, also a local of Northern Virginia, was the first to throw his talented lot with us and the rest is CQ history.
And there days... Well, our vision is to continue building an imprint so strong, so recognizable that the readers flock to it rather than to perhaps one individual author - because they would know that all our authors are amazing enough to warrant the public's attention. On top of that, building on our joint backgrounds in programming and community growth in the entertainment industries, we are working to unroll some cool tech we have been tinkering with on the down-low. The recently re-launched CQ site is only the first step. I don't think I will incur too much of Eugene's wrath for spoilering the news if I say.... Hold on to your hats, PaperBrain's next!
2.     What does your job entail? 
My regular workweek is usually 7 days long. Being self-employed allows me the flexibility of picking my work hours. The problem is, I have no leg to stand on when I want to complain about my slave-driving boss that has no compunction about cutting into my sleep and / or any other time of the day.
Fortunately, I really love what I do - which typically includes acquisition editing, marketing meetings, general content editing, overseeing tech development, production meetings, vendor and author support, accounts payable, and physical book ordering (in no particular order). Oh and did I mention e-mail wrangling and goat herding? Yeah, that too. [goats - or rather, capricorns - having insinuated themselves into CQ's daily activities and thus having recently been elevated to the status of our company logo]
3.     What do you enjoy most about working with everyone at CQ? 
That's an easy one! I love the sense of creativity and camaraderie and support that I feel to be the cornerstones of CQ's current and future success. I truly can't be any more grateful to and for our authors, editors, illustrators, acquisitions editors, marketing, accounting, and production staff - and of course, our fans! We certainly couldn't have been where we are - or hope to get where we are going next - without each and single one of your guys! 
4.     What have your experiences been like throughout the journey from founding to now?
Overall, it has definitely been a positive experience, but of course, no undertaking I have ever been in is without its ups and downs. Curiosity Quills is no exception. We have and continue to witness the tumult in the publishing industry and weathering is has been no joke. We continue to try and anticipate where the industry and the readers will turn next, and attempt to tailor our message, our marketing, our creative and financial thrust in that direction.
On a more personal note, there has been heartbreak and there have been intentions misunderstood and there have also been friendships broken and mended. To me, while the destination is indeed of the utmost importance - so is the journey and so is embracing the good in it and learning from and conquering the...less good :)
And standing here, now, I think we are in the strongest position we have ever been, and I have never trusted in and appreciated my team more than I do today. 
5.     What is the hardest part of running a small press?
Small? SMALL? Hey, who are you calling small, now? :) j/k
But really, that is sort of hitting the nail on the head, this identification of CQ as a small press. What exactly makes a press small? And how does such categorization limit us in the eyes of bookstores and readers and even authors?
It's these preconceived notions that have been the most difficult to shoulder through for us, and I think have served as a thorn in many an independent publisher's side. Luckily, I am seeing the perception beginning to change, the stores and distributors beginning to open their doors to us, and the readers - opening their hearts (and wallets).
And so long as there is a light at the end of the road, I think it's definitely worth every step we take to get ourselves there.
6.     And what is the best part?
There are a lot of best parts. It is doing what I love. Working with people I care about. Building something from scratch and seeing it take shape.
I honestly and truly can't imagine doing anything else - not willingly. Though of course, finding time to write might be that elusive bit of icing on the cake. (fat- and guilt-free icing)
7.     Last question; If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?
Well... does contemporary history count? Because in that case... Larry Page. Anyone want to help a publisher out and make it happen? There is be a big great humongous thank you plaque and an ice cream cake with your name on them!

Thank you so much, Lisa! You're answers definitely taught me things I didn't know, like the blog thing. So great you took it to the next level. 
Stick around for more interviews to come!

Curiosity Quills Editor: Chrystal Schleyer

Today we have the first of the Curiosity Quills Editors. What's the difference between an Acquisitions Editor and an Editor? Well, an AE reads through the slush, kind of like a beta reader, and picks out books to sign. An editor gets their hands on the manuscript after the signing to work through line and content edits to make the manuscript shine.
So here is Crystal!
Chrystal is the youngest of seven girls and has always loved reading, but it wasn't until her twin sister encouraged her to write that she became serious about it. She mainly writes young adult and reads everything from young adult scifi to adult historical.
Before working as an editor for Curiosity Quills Press, Chrystal was an aide in a school for special needs children and a hospital photographer who got to take pictures of all the newborn babies.
 Her other loves are coffee, hiking, and Star Wars. Chrystal also dreams of owning a backyard farm, complete with chickens, goats, and a herd of dogs. 

Twitter: @Chrystal678

1.     Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.I saw a tweet that CQ was looking for editors, so I went to the website to apply and take the test.
2.     What does your job entail? For a full edit, I go through each manuscript twice. During the first pass, I’ll check for everything from comma usage to showing vs. telling. During the second pass, I’ll check for changes the author made and anything that was missed during the first pass.
3.     What do you enjoy most about being an editor? I absolutely love getting to read all of the wonderful manuscripts by CQ’s authors. They’re a really talented group of people.
4.     What have your experiences been like working with the authors?They’ve been really great. I know it’s hard to have someone come in and tell an author what to change on their baby, but the authors I’ve worked with have been pretty awesome and open to my comments.
5.     What is the hardest part of being an editor?For me, it’s actually been taking the time to keep up with my own writing and not pushing it aside for more work.
6.     And what is the best part?Getting to squee over some amazing manuscripts!
7.     Last question; If you could bring any book/movie/TV show to life, what would it be and why?Can I pick one of each? Movie – Star Wars (of course!) because who doesn’t want to be a Jedi?Book – Anna and the French Kiss because I want to be friends with Anna. Her voice in that book is so great.TV – Doctor Who because ALL OF SPACE AND TIME (but I could probably do without the almost dying constantly. Haha.)

Curiosity Quills Acquisitions Editor: James Wymore

Meet James Wymore! He's written books like....




And pulled together anthology of...




As well as working through the slush pile and finding great talent for Curiosity Quills.
Thank you, James, for joining us today!

1.     Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.
After they published my first book, Theocracide, the Acquisitions Manager contacted me and invited me to apply as an Acquisitions Editor. I was interested immediately, but I asked him why he came to me personally. He complimented my taste in books. Then he said, “We have several women working as AE’s already, but they all want to read vampire romances and urban fantasies. I need somebody to share the sci-fi and horror… you know, the boy books.”
2.     What does your job entail? 
The Acquisitions Manager, Andrew Buckley, sifts through the submissions (called slush) and assigns them to the Editors based on their genre preferences. I read the first 3 chapters and query form to determine if the writing is good and the idea is interesting. If so, I request the entire manuscript. After I read it I have 3 options: reject, request a rewrite, or recommend it for publication. If they company accepts my recommendation, I send a contract to the author and invite them to join Curiosity Quills Press.
3.     What do you enjoy most about being an acquisitions editor? 
The fans are definitely the biggest perk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a convention and had people swarming everywhere for my autograph or attention. It’s like being a rock star. Wait, did I say that out loud? Really, I just like getting paid to read things.
4.     What have your experiences been like working with the authors?
Great! Occasionally I get bogged down with a diva, but most of the time authors are really interesting and funny people. I’ve made a lot of great friends among the authors I’ve worked with over the years. It’s really the best thing about the job (besides the fans in my daydream above).
5.     What is the hardest part of being an acquisitions editor?
Time. Sometimes I feel obligated to work on acquisitions when I really want to be writing. Other times I have to read manuscripts and put off reading books I really want to read. I feel guilty not reading all the new books my friends write because my schedule is full. Still, none of those things are very “hard” if you take a meta-perspective.
6.     And what is the best part?
I love finding a gem of a manuscript and being part of making that story a book. I know my part of the whole process is small, but it still feels gratifying when a book I loved comes out.
7.     What kind of manuscripts do you enjoy and are looking for, and how can an author submit to you?
I love books that make me think. I like to see the world from a new perspective or be drawn into a different reality. I like cerebral books and stories that make my head explode. I like all the genres (except romance) and age groups, but I don’t enjoy somebody rehashing an old theme. I don’t want Middle Earth, I want fantasy that is unique and fresh. I crave sci-fi with a twist and horror that makes me rethink the world I live in.To submit to me directly, just use the submission form at the publisher’s website (http://curiosityquills.com) and put my name in the form where the summary and such goes (we don’t use traditional query letters). They’ll send it to me if it fits what we publish.
8.     Last question; If you were suddenly struck by lightning/bitten by something/exposed to toxic waste, and ended up with super powers, what would it be and why?

I would gain the power to jump between realities. I could physically move between other dimensions and alternate states of existence at will. In the morning, I’d be eating croissants with my Steampunk friends on their airship. By lunch, I’d be exploring other planets in space. For the evening, I’d be a wealthy philanthropist talking sense into otherwise stubborn politicians. The best part, would be taking my friends and family with me.

Curiosity Quills Author: Holli Anderson

Today we have Holli Anderson, author of the Five books. So here she is, her books are below.


Author Bio:Holli Anderson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing—which has nothing to do with writing, except maybe by adding some pretty descriptive injury and vomit scenes to her books. She discovered her joy of writing during a very trying period in her life when escaping into make-believe saved her. She enjoys reading any book she gets her hands on, but has a particular love for anything fantasy.
Along with her husband, Steve, and their four sons, she lives in Grantsville, Utah—the same small town in which she grew up. 
FacebookTwitter:  @HaAuthor


1.     Tell us how you came to be an Author with Curiosity Quills Press.Someone in my local writers group (League of Utah Writers, Tooele Chapter) mentioned that she had submitted her manuscript to CQ, so I checked them out and liked what I saw. I submitted Five Out of the Dark and, after one revision request from the Acquisitions Editor, they offered me a contract.2.     What do you enjoy most about being a CQ Author?I love the collaboration between the authors, editors, marketing, cover designers, etc. Even though we are spread far and wide, CQ has a family feel to it. We have this close knit community that is always there to answer questions, offer suggestions, and give support.3.     What have your experiences been like working toward being published?I feel extremely fortunate that I found CQ when I did. I finished the first draft of FIVE in July of 2012. I was at a writer’s conference in Seattle and I pitched my book to six agents. Four of them asked me to submit a partial manuscript and one of those later asked for a full manuscript and later a revision before rejecting it. I was pretty excited that it got that far—it made me realize that my writing is worthy. I submitted to CQ in the fall of 2012 and signed my contract with them in February of 2013. I’ve now published two books with them and I’m working on book three.4.     What would you have done differently?I really don’t think I would do anything differently. I’ve been very happy with my decision to publish with CQ.5.     How has your book been marketed?I’ve done a ton of marketing on my own. I have a Facebook page and Twitter account that I try to stay active on. I’m not so great with the social media thing—but I’m trying. CQ helps with social media and sending my books to reviewers—including Net Galley. I’ve done blog tours, book blasts, and cover reveals to get my book out there. With the help of my husband—who has taken over the marketing for me—I have book signing events almost every weekend. We are trying to spread these out to new areas, with the idea that getting my book in the hands of people outside of Utah will help spread the word. I attend conferences and Comic Cons and have weaseled my way onto panels where I can pimp my books. I’ve just recently paid for an ad in a review magazine that is set to come out in November—we’ll see if that translates into increased sales. I pass out SWAG wherever I can (bookmarks, posters, buttons, and bracelets). My next goal is to get into some schools for literary fairs and as a special guest to talk about writing.6.     Any advice on how to better market a book?I still feel too new at this to offer much advice. I’m still trying to figure out where my money and time is best spent.7.     Last question; If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, when would it be, and what would you be wearing?This is a tough question—one for which the answer changes depending on my mood. Right now I’m leaning toward Kauai, Hawaii. Right now. I would be wearing a swimming suit, board shorts, and snorkeling gear.


Five teenagers who've recently discovered they have magical powers and are living in the Seattle
underground feel it’s their responsibility to protect unsuspecting humans from otherworldly foes. Things are going well until Johnathan, their unofficial leader and the boy sixteen year old Paige is in love with, is bitten by a changeling – the venomous saliva causing him to metamorphose into a ravening beast with each full moon. Paige vows that, no matter the cost, she will find a way to cure Johnathan of the evil that has embedded itself in his soul. Johnathan’s monthly transformation and daily personality roller coaster isn’t the only problem they have to deal with. The Five are also gearing up to face their toughest and most dangerous enemy yet—a powerful and ruthless Warlock who will go to any means, including high school, to build his Dark Army.
Amazon   B&N

The Five find their way to Moab, Utah where, before they’re even settled in, evil finds them.As Paige fights to keep from succumbing to the pull of an Incubus that has her marked as his next conquest, Johnathan seeks to find a way to rid her of a curse she willingly accepted in order to save him.A surprising revelation initiates a long-awaited, yet unexpected, reunion for Alec who discovers a new magical talent he possesses. The FIVE, along with their mentor, Joe, must figure out what was meant by the last words of a Demon as it was sent back to the Netherworld—a promise of Gathering darkness—and stop the evil before it’s unleashed on the small town of Moab. And, the world.
            He was interrupted by the Demon’s laughter. “I shall return to this realm a short time hence. Along with a multitude of Demons and Fae.”            “What are you talking about?” Joe asked.            “He’s just stalling,” Seth hissed.            “Believe what you will, young Quinaie Praesidia.”            “How do you plan to return?” Joe persisted.            “You shall know the hour is at hand when the heavens gather blackness and all the elements combine to protect the way. The very jaws of Hell shall gape open its mouth wide after The Five. You should all be very afraid.” It laughed its Demonic laugh, rows of teeth dripping green saliva that hissed as it hit the floor.
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Cover Reveal: Treasure Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth

Beware a Treasure Darkly…


(Thank you, Amalia Chitulescu, for the stunning cover art.  It goes so well with the story)Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe…until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead. A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.

And he is not alone. His new found sister, Amethyst, thinks that's rather dashing, until Horan kidnaps her, and all she gets is a bullet through her heart. When Clark brings her back to life, she realizes he's more than just street-smart - and he's not really a Treasure. Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark.TREASURE DARKLY, book 1 of the Treasure ChroniclesThis young adult fantasy introduces the Wild West to a steampunk world, mixed together with romance and a touch of the paranormal.Enjoy the following excerpt…“Looks like he did drink it up.” The general client spoke from the right. “Must’ve interacted with all that bloody hertum. Look at ‘im, he’s bleeding already.”“What’s it gonna do to him?” the guard from the morning asked. “Lots of stuff.” The general laughed. “When he touches the dead, he’ll be able to bring them back, and exchange that life for another. Perfect soldier, huh? We only have one vial ready and I was going to give it to a lucky fellow. Guess it will be this boy.” “Whatcha gonna do with him?” The guard snickered.“Have to be a test subject,” the general said. “Sure thought it was that Judy who stole my bottle. Pity I killed her. She sure knew how to make my pecker sing.”Judy.Clark’s mother. Clark bolted off the ground and ran. He could hide in the hole under the shed behind the brothel. Mable never found him under there. He might be cursed with raising the dead—he’d already done that to the poor mine worker—but it didn’t mean he’d let them take him for tests.





Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, is the author of ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW and a contributor to GEARS OF BRASS, both available from Curiosity Quills Press.  GEARS OF BRASS includes a short story featuring Amethyst Treasure, one of the main characters in the Treasure Chronicles.  Check out Jordan’s website, JordanElizabethMierek.com, for contests and book signings.  Jordan is represented by Belcastro Agency and President of the Utica Writers Club.





Steampunk if often recognized by its unique jewelry.  The Treasure Chronicles include a rugged “Western” setting, so I went for something with an explorer feel for a giveaway.  Presenting a beautiful necklace created by me, Jordan Elizabeth.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviews of Curiosity Quills Books Part 1

I have, over time, read and reviewed a fair few Curiosity Quills titles, so here are my thoughts from those books. Hopefully you will spot a few of these authors this month! To read more, as well as find purchase links, click on the Reviews tab above.


***Full Disclosure: I was the Acquiring Editor for this book***

Sharon is an awesome storyteller. What I love most about this book is that the characters are so alive and even kind of nuts. They are dark wizards that want to be good, and so struggle with all their might to be good.

Destruction follows David, husband of Amanda, and father of teenagers Jude, Patrick, and Emmy. It's starts when David is called to tell him his long lost children, Xavier and Evangeline, have been found, but their mother, Crystal, has been murdered. He is to take custody of the two teens, that his wife knows nothing about.
When he brings them home, the expected hell breaks loose when his wife is furious about his affair from years before, and their children are furious at his betrayal. But the two new siblings reveal something about them which they didn't know; they are all dark wizards and witches.
The children all start acting out and using their new found powers recklessly.

This story is heartfelt and gripping. It's so human even as the characters struggle with their magical sides. With such a vast cast, Bayliss has done a fabulous job at keeping all their stories real and emotional. Through all their struggles and flaws you feel for them and hope they can resolve their problems.
I can't wait for the next book!


**Full Disclosure: I was the Acquiring Editor for this book.**

If you liked Destruction, you're going to love Watch Me Burn. The Vandergraff's are somehow holding together after all the revelations and pain from book 1. Together, they learn and discover more about their powers.
But most significantly, in WMB, we are introduced to summer wizards and the Prescotts, a summer wizard family. When the youngest daughter of the Prescott family goes missing, David feels a magical pull to find her, and soon, so do his children.
Meanwhile, Amanda has secretly been seeing their oldest son who was asked to leave after doing some down right stupid and dangerous things. Amanda is trying to remove the darkness from him, but the side affects are heart wrenching.
The kids are learning more and more about their powers, especially Patrick who finds he has surprisingly powerful abilities. He sees visions of the missing girl, among other things. Emmy goes looking for the missing girl and meets her brother, who she is unsure if she can trust or not since he is a summer wizard, but she is drawn to him anyway.
The plot twists and turns as the family find themselves drawn in, but distracted at the same time. David is desperately fighting to protect his family, while the four kids build stronger bonds and loyalty to one another that could save them.
I couldn't put this baby down! Bayliss takes the December People Series to a new level that you won't want to miss, and leaves you begging for the next installment.





I love that this wasn't a werewolf book. With vampires and werewolves flooding the market, having a shifter book instead felt... better.
In the beginning, Arionna, understandably, is pretty depressed after her mother's death. Then she meets Dace. She still struggles through her mother's death, but he helps her see a light at the end of the tunnel, but he also introduces her to a world she has forgotten exists.
I enjoyed this book. I love that it uses Norse Mythology and is based on some familiar characters and legends. I also enjoyed the connection to the wolf pack.
The internal dialogue gets heavy in a few places that, for me, really bogged down the pace and became distracting and repetitive. But at about halfway, this seemed to decrease, and although still present in places, I found it didn't affect the pace too much after that.
Aside from that, the concept if interesting, and often sad in places. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book goes.



Talk about a cliffhanger ending! But no spoilers here.
Fall continues right where Fade finishes; with Arionna recovering in the hospital. Dace is at Arionna's side to help her recover, but Skoll and Hati are still around.
Like book 1, this one was a little heavy on the internal dialogue for my taste. But I like that it delves deeper into Norse Mythology.
It also develops Ronan's character, which I enjoyed. He's a good old fashioned bad boy, with a hidden good guy side.
I wouldn't call this fast paced, in fact, I found the first half a bit slow, but once Arionna leaves with Ronan and Fuki, things start to really get interesting until you reach that cliffhanger ending I mentioned. I flicked the page on my kindle and thought, "No! You can't leave it like that!" It definitely leaves you needing to know what happens next.






I've been dying to read this book since I saw the cover reveal. It definitely didn't disappoint. I loved Twist from the first page. While Dodger is exactly what you expect, an arrogant jerk, Twist is the exact opposite. I love that he hasn't been corrupted by the horrible world they live in, and still holds onto hope and compassion.
New York is a messed up place, and Dodger and Twist work hard to survive the best they can. Unfortunately for them, they get caught up in a game of life or death caused by the poor choices and greed of others. All throughout, the boys stay true to themselves, and most importantly, each other, even when things threaten to be torn apart.
I was a little disappointed by the end, until I saw it's book 1! Yay! I want book 2 now. I don't want to leave spoilers, but there's plenty left open and wanting to be resolved and uncovered

 I loved this book. A bit of history, a bit of romance and a great heroine.
Bobbi starts out in search of her brother, Robert, who went missing during the Battle of Gettysburg. In her heart she knows he's still alive, so disguises herself as a boy to join the Union Army.
After an adventurous train ride, then journey on foot, Bobbi finds herself with the 27th and is assigned to bunk with Toby. Toby is seriously my new heart throb. He's sweet and optimistic despite the war and carnage he is surrounded by. Being from Texas, he has abandoned his home and family to fight for the Union army. This alone reflects how big of a heart he has, and how determined he is.
Bobbi also makes friends with a nurse, Cora, who almost immediately picks up the fact that she is female. Cora helps her hide certain female habits and gets her through some tough times adjusting to army life.
There are other great characters too; sweet Woody, brave Kenny and many more.
All in all, an enjoyable read. Being Aussie, I don't know a whole lot about the American Civil War, so I used good old google maps to help me with the locations.  I believe this would be a good read for teens who have no real interest in history as a means to pique their interest. Bobbi is strong and easy to relate to, especially as she goes through her emotional dilemmas that would naturally come up during war time.


 Theocracide follows Jason Hunt, a rising star athlete with a girlfriend who he adores and a promising life. Except the world isn't right and he's the key to fixing it.
I liked Jason. He felt very real and honest. He's been trained by Jay his 'father' whom he believes is a paranoid conspiracy nut but he learns Jay is so much more than that. As a result of this training, he is hardened and adapts easily, and often surprises himself how easily, to what he finds himself facing.
There were a few inconsistencies where I was like, what? But once the world was established it seemed to smooth over.
I'd really be interested to see if Wymore does a sequel to this. Although it concludes nicely, it does have an open ending.
Not being a sci-fi girl, I did actually enjoy this. There was a steady flow of action and plot development, and a hint of romance... my particular weakness!***Note: I was the Acquiring Editor for this book***

Curiosity Quills Author: Samantha Bryant

And so begins the Curiosity Quills Feature Month. Guys! I'm so excited about this! Today you will meet the first of many authors that will be dropping by my blog to fill you in with their publishing experiences. So sit back, enjoy the show, and I hope you gleen some great insights from all the interviews to come.
Here's some info on Samantha and her book is at the bottom, and be sure to come back next week to meet more CQ Authors and the first round of staff.

BIO: Samantha Bryant believes in love, magic, and unexplainable connections between people. Her favorite things are lonely beaches, untamed cliff tops, sunlight through the leaves of trees, summer rains, and children's laughter. She has lived in many places, including rural Alaska, Kansas, Kentucky, Vermont, England and Spain. She is fierce at heart, though she doesn't look it.She's a fan of Charlotte Brontë, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Neil Gaiman, Nicole Perlman, and Joss Whedon, among many others. She would like to be Amy Tan when she grows up, but so far it doesn't look like she'll be growing up any time soon.Samantha writes blogs, poems, essays, and novels. Mostly she writes about things that scare or worry her. It's cheaper than therapy. Someday, she hopes to make her living solely as a writer. In the meantime, she also teaches middle school Spanish, which, admittedly, is an odd choice for money-earning, especially in North Carolina.When she's not writing or teaching, Samantha enjoys time with her family, watching old movies, baking, reading, and going places. Her favorite gift is tickets (to just about anything).


Samantha's links:http://samanthabryant.comhttps://www.facebook.com/samanthadunawaybryanthttps://twitter.com/mirymom1https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SamanthaDunawayBryant/posts1.     Tell us how you came to be an Author with Curiosity Quills Press.I found Curiosity Quills through another author: Matthew Graybosch. Matthew and I are members of some of the same communities on Google+ and he would sometimes share posts from CQ or comment about how his experience with them was going. When I checked out the website, I liked what I saw, so I tossed my novel into the ring. Lucky for me, Lisa Gus caught it!2.     What do you enjoy most about being a CQ Author?So far, it's the people. Everyone who has touched my work has been supportive, kind, witty and supportive (yes, I mean it twice).  The wider community of authors, editors, artists, marketers, etc. has a wonderful positive energy. It's always good to work with people who love their work, and CQ folks love their work. 3.     What have your experiences been like working toward being published?One of the frustrating things about most traditional publishing is how long everything takes. My first novel (still unpublished) has been through many queries and page requests, often with three to six month lags without any communication. It was that experience that had me thinking I might want to look at smaller publishers. I'm a small town girl at heart. I don't know what made me think I wanted "big city" publishing in the first place. In contrast, it was a wonderful surprise how quickly things have moved since I first sent my work to CQ. I went from initial query to request to full in less than a week. I received the acceptance of that full within another week. Some friends of mine who also submitted, but were not accepted received responses on a similar timetable. I've also appreciated the transparency of information and ease of access to the staff. The contract laid out timetable expectations as well as explaining the rights purchased. When I had questions about the contract or any step of the process, they were answered promptly and openly. As I write this, I have received my first round edits and am working through them. The editor has been very approachable about questions as I process her comments. I also appreciate that she gave me some compliments along the way rather than only pointing out the flaws. She doesn't have to do that, but she does, and it just adds to that good feeling about the people I get to work with at CQ. 4.     What would you have done differently?The things I would change about my career so far are not so much about my attempts to get published as they are about my approach to writing itself. It took me far too long to take myself seriously as a writer and build a strong daily writing habit. Once I did that, it all clicked into place and I became much more productive and began to see my ideas to fruition. Timing is everything though. If I had tried the same thing five years earlier, maybe I wouldn't have been ready to make it work like I am now.  5.     How has your book been marketed?Well, it's not out yet. As I write this (December 2014), the book is still four months from its release. Marketing, so far, is about exploring ideas and building the tools we'll use when the time comes and building connections. 
On my side, I started an author's Facebook page and have begun building an audience for it. I have worked with the marketing team on the various small bits of writing they need to be able to market my book: blurbs of different sizes and purposes, biography, pictures of me, etc. I've also begun to seek blog promotions. I wrote a guest posting for a menopause blog and have a few more guest posts scheduled for the next month or two. 
In some ways, I've been marketing this book (and myself as an author) for several years already. I've been participating in literary and book events in my area and building a network of contacts. I'm an active blogger and Plusser (user of Google+). I also use Facebook and Twitter regularly. These activities are my stepping stone into the wider world of publicity. 
I'm excited about attending cons and festivals as an author and am beginning to plan a fabulous release party.6.     Any advice on how to better market a book?I know what I don't like. There are too many writers I've followed on the socials only to find that the sum total of their output is, "Buy my book." That kind of marketing is just noise. In fact, receiving spammy message like that has actually made me decide NOT to buy a book that I maybe would have considered if approached differently. I also know what works on me as a reader: sales or promotions, charity projects, good personal feelings about the characters and/or the writer, "you might also like" sorts of connections to things I've already read, and the recommendation of a friend. As a writer, I plan to write good books and do my part to make sure people hear about them, but (damn it Jim), I'm a writer, not a marketer. 7.     Last question; If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, when would it be, and what would you be wearing?As a younger woman, I used to live in Kodiak, Alaska and I've been missing it pretty fiercely here of late. Maybe there haven't enough windswept cliff tops and rough Pacific coast in my life lately. I'd take my family with me to Ft. Abercrombie State Historical Park in the spring. We'd wear jeans with cool sweatshirts advertising our various fandoms, mud-splattered hiking boots and light waterproof jackets. We'd sit watching the puffins hunt above a pod of orcas all afternoon, then go to a salmon bake on the beach that night.
Thank you, Samantha for dropping by and giving us your experiences with your road to publication. 


BLURB: Going through "the change" isn't easy on any woman. Mood swings, hot flashes, hormonal imbalances, and itchy skin are par for the course. But for these four seemingly unrelated women, menopause brought changes none of them had ever anticipated--super-heroic changes. Helen discovers a spark within that reignites her fire. Jessica finds that her mood is lighter, and so is her body.  Patricia always had a tough hide, but now even bullets bounce off her. Linda doesn't have trouble opening the pickle jar anymore…now that she's a man.When events throw the women together, they find out that they have more in common than they knew--one person has touched all their lives. The hunt for answers is on.

New Year, New Things: Publisher Feature Months - Curiosity Quills Press Introduction

Good News, Everyone! I'm trying something new. This year, I am approaching publishers and putting together a month worth of interviews to give you the inside scoop of their inner workings.Follow along, and for the feature months you with meet authors, editors, acquisitions editors, cover artists, production, marketing, and promotional peeps who will all give you the ins and outs of what they do with their publisher to bring us great books to enjoy.

So jump on board and learn what goes on behind the books.

This month you will meet people from my own publisher, Curiosity Quills Press.

From the Curiosity Quills Website:

At Curiosity Quills Press, we believe a book is a portal to another world, a break from reality that frees both mind and spirit. We want to bring a little piece of that magic to every life we touch with the written word.
W. Somerset Maugham once said, “To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.”Everyone needs a place where they can relax, become another person, travel to a different realm.
Everyone needs an escape. Let Curiosity Quills be yours.

Follow along this month to learn more about the team and their authors, and discover new books to love.

Submit to Curiosity Quills here.

Voting For My .... Soul Mate Read! #amreading

In the new year, I am starting something new that I'm really excited about. But right now, I need votes on what to read for February. Please share/tweet etc this post so we can get plenty of votes. As a thank you, one of my ebooks will be given to a voter of the winning book.
Check out the reviews for my previous vote winners August (other Tate installments here) and September, and keep an eye out for my review for October's read; Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief... which I am yet to read haha!

So, here we go!

Souls Entwined by Ann
Rescued by Larynn Ford
Cursed be the Wicked by J.R. Richardson


Promises to Keep by Char Chaffin


Mountain Hero by Cheryl Yeko

Forever After by Alexa Night

Dangerous Works by Caroline Warfield



And VOTE!

The Last Stored Blog Tour - Ten's List

Sonia Poynter grew up traipsing through the thick woods of Kentucky. The magic of the forest made her want to write. Currently, she lives in the sleepy community of Pittsboro, Indiana, with the love of her life and God has blessed them both with three amazing kids.



Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoniaPoynterAuthorGoodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8343589.Sonia_PoynterBlog:  http://twowillowswriter.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoniaPoyPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bigmug/

Thank you Katie for hosting me today.  I don’t think it’s by chance that writers happen to be the most caring and helpful people.  I think it is because we’ve been put through the proverbial wringer and come out the other side.  I am truly blessed!
Top Ten Travel Destinations and Why?1.      Somerset, Kentucky. Why? It’s where I spent my summers. My grandparents owned a farm and I would help them milk the cows in the wee morning hours. Mamaw named the cows after my school mates. After we were done we would go back to their house and have breakfast.  Paul Harvey would be on the radio, and Papa would sit and talk with me for hours. I’d take that over any beach vacation any day.
2.      Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Why? I vacationed there as a child with my family, and my husband and I have kept up the tradition with our own kids. We love to hike the trails, then at night take in the sights and sounds of downtown.  Being in the hills gives me peace.
3.      Wyoming. Why? We went there when the kids were little.  We even took our family dog.  All of us loaded into a small SUV.  The memories of tornadoes on the plains and snow in the pass will always stay etched in my mind.
4.      Appalachian Mountains. Why? I went there a few years ago with our teen youth group. It was in the upper 90’s and the nearest bathroom at the work site was ten miles away. We were attacked by hornets, mice scurried over our feet, and we had to carry in drinking water. But I absolutely loved being there helping people.  The woman that ran the mission was an angel in disguise.  Never have I been so blessed.
5.      Ireland.  Why? I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go.  It seems so magical. I’m pretty sure I could get swept away in that land. Just the green grass and rolling hills remind me of my home in Kentucky a place that is near and dear to my heart.
6.      Israel. Why? To walk the same land of the Bible would be amazing, from the Dead Sea to the Mt. Of Olives. History marks its time by it, that in and of its self is astounding. 
7.      Harry Potter World, Orlando, Florida. Why? As a writer, to see something you wrote come to life up would be a dream. I can’t even imagine.  We went there this past summer with my brother-in-law’s family.  Just seeing Hogwarts was pretty incredible, then to eat at Hogsmeade, WOW! (But I would like it more if it was a tad bit chillier.)
8.      Alaska. Why? I guess you can tell by now I’m not a hot weather gal.  Put me on the beach and I melt, but stick me in the cold and I come alive.  I’ve never been to Alaska, but the wide-open space, mountains, and dense forests call to me.  I would love to go dog sledding, and cross-country skiing. 
9.      British Colombia. Why? Probably the same reason as Alaska. It is wide open, and one of my favorite moves took place there. A low budget movie called The Mother Lode, nobody saw it, and if I watched it today I would most likely laugh, but when I first saw it I thought the scenery was stunning.  I could totally see myself in a shack writing, while my hub’s cooked up some bacon, ‘cause bacon is what mountain people eat, right?
10.   The Forest of Outerrat. Why?  Where might you ask is the Outerrat?  In the world of Tali of course, a place I created for my book, The Last Stored.  It is the home of Dartlin and Fink, two little old men who I’d love for you to meet.  The air is fresh and clean, with water as pure as you have ever drank. Outerrat is a dense woodland and at the center is Fej’s keep. Fej protects the Outerrat, but he has grown old.  If the Outerrat falls, Tali is lost.

Blurb for THE LAST STORED:After the sudden death of her parents, making it through the day is a struggle for Amber Megan Peel. In the midst of her grief, an exquisite bird perches on her garden fence and shows her visions of a vivid landscape and a dark lord slouching upon a throne.  She thinks the visions are tied to her sorrow. But when a boy flies through her kitchen window to tell her she’s the Last Stored, she wonders if she’s just lost her mind.
Cree of Din is tasked with one job: Bring Amber home. For seven years, Cree has trained as her protector and it is the ultimate responsibility. Failure means Amber’s certain death, and that’s not an option for Cree – especially since he’s falling in love with her.
The Returning has begun. Now all Amber and Cree have to do is enter Tali, a world of unimaginable splendor and equally unimaginable horror, and defeat Lorthis. If they can’t, not only will Tali plunge into darkness, but so will Earth.
Available January 6th 2015
You can find The Last Stored here:Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Last-Stored-Sonia-Poynter-ebook/dp/B00QUD6CGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418932052&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Last+Storedhttps://anaiahpress.wordpress.com/



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